This is only my humble opinion, but i have been to all 3 resorts you mention, i hated Tsilivi, Argassi is better but not much beach. I am going to Protaras for the 8th time in September, if i was you i would try my best for Protaras, better nightlife. The beaches in Zante are like Skeg or Blackpool in comparison to Protaras.

Thanks for the advice, we really want Protaras so will keep trying that but it's good to know what other resorts are like, so if we can't get cyprus we can fall back on something, would you say it's also better to try and get Ayia Napa/Nissi Bay before trying Zante ?

Thanks
Danny

hi, the beaches on zante are not as good as those on cyprus, they are narrow and tend to be a bit grainy/ shingley most of the time. argassi is very, very narrow. night life is liveley in both resorts, but not in the way of laganas, but both resorts seem to cater for, and are enjoyed by specific markets, there are alot of eastern european visitors to argassi of late, and they tend to enjoy all inclusive hotels, many people have commented on how much quiter it seems to be in argassi this year, to get a really good feel for the whole island of zante, have a look on 'just zante' which will appear if you google it. tsilivi is alot more british, a bit too much for my liking, but that is only my opinion, i know of many people who visit regularly and have found their little bit of paradise there, so it really is what you prefer. going on the vibes from your post though, i can't help thinking that you would much prefer to get a hol to cyprus?? if so then i would just try my hardest to search there, there will be something out there somewhere, especially now the kids are off back to school, try all the main tour op's websites on their late deals page, plus all the smaller outfits like libra, manos etc, if you are used to cyprus and it's beaches i feel you might be a little bit disappointed with zante's, again though, that is just my opinion!

Thanks gain for the advice,
We have never been to Cyprus before but have read good things, however the prices are still really high consdiering it's just over 2 weeks away.
A friend of mine was in Tsilivi in July and really enjoyed it, so that was a thought also, I have been to Laganas and loved it, albiet before 18-30 got their hands on it !
I will keep looking until I reach about the 6th Sept and if I haven't found a decent deal, i'll bite the bullet and book something

Thanks again
Danny

Hi DAnny! I,ve been to both Argassi & Laganas & enjoyed both. We found Laganas to be fine if you choose your accommodation carefully so as not to be right in the centre and the beach there is lovely. We preferred Argassi - plenty of nice tavernas, with music & dancing. If it came to a choice however between Aiya Napa & Lagnas I'd plump for Laganas(and we're 50) - so it's not all 18 - 30. Be very careful of late deals to Cyprus. We took one 3 years ago to Protaras and landed up with awful accommodation. It's also the only holiday in 15 years where we ran out of money. We found it very expensive compared to Greece. Good luck with your search.

Ayia Napa for me, the main square will not be as busy. Superb beaches etc. Cyprus is more expensive admitted, but it is more upmarket than Zante.

Dont listen to anyone that tells you tsilivi is rubbish. it is great this year will b my fourth time there!!!!!! nightlife not amazing though for that you need to go to laganas that is amazin!!!!! have gd hols

Everyone has different opinions, you will make your own mind up, im sure whatever you choose, you will have a great holiday. Nevertheless, the beach in Tsilivi is not very good, it has lots of pebbles, we saw lots of rubbish. beggars are everywhere in Zante town. Cyprus wins for me hands down.

Danny316,

I've been to Argassi and Ayia Napa in the last couple of years with my girlfriend and would definately say that Ayia Napas your best bet. Can't comment on Tsilivi as never been.

Whilst we didn't dislike Argassi its not a patch on Ayia Napa. You can't even begin to compare the beaches, and the restaurants In Ayia Napa were much better as was the nightlife. We took my parents last year and they loved it.

As this isn't the Cyprus forum I won't go into too much detail about Ayia Napa here but in my opinion this is the ideal time of the year to go, is a great alternative to Protaras and is the best of the three options you're considering. It will have quietened down in the main square but will still be very lively for a mad night out if required. There are loads of bars and restaurants away from the square which will also be busy at this time of the year but with more couples and families rather than groups of lads/girls. As long as you find accomodation that isn't 18-30s you'll be making a good choice in Ayia Napa. Its not the resort many people believe it to be and is far nicer than many people imagine.

Steve

spot on post, whatever you do book Cyprus it is a thousand times better than Zante, and well worth the bit extra to go there.

Thanks for all the info folks, very helpful.
I'll be sure to let you know when I book something and what I thought when I come back

Thanks again
Danny

I really liked tsilivi it had a good mixture of Tavernas and a few dancing ,Karoke and cocktail bars nothing too mad though. The beach is one of the best we have been to as it is sandy and has shallow waters.
I prefered Zante much more than Ayia Napa too english for me though protaras is very nice.

I really liked Tsilivi when I went last Summer, so much that I plan to go away there next year. The people are very friendly and is a nice laid back place but with a few bars if you fancy a frosted glass of mythos!

Dont listen to iallen - this person has some long run hatred of Tsilivi and must work for the Cyprus Tourist Board (though I'm sure Cyprus is beautiful). iallen advised me not to go to Tsilivi before I went last Summer, I still went and had one of the best holidays of my life!

Cyprus will be fantastic but poss a little more expensive than Tsilivi

Just came back from Tsilivi last week, it was my first time and it was brilliant. Such a beautiful island. The people in Tsilivi are very friendly and so laid back, i thought it was a perfect mixture, plenty of places to drink if you want to stay up but quiet when you do choose to go to bed In my experience the bars stay open until you decide to go to bed! I think mid September was the perfect time to go as there wasn't quite as many tourists as there would be july & august and the weather was a perfect temperature of around 32oC everyday for 2 weeks

I am only expressing my opinion in response to Danny316 post , other posts also agree with me. I didnt hate Tsilivi i detested it, but if anyone enjoys it then that is fair enough. Cyprus is indeed more expensive than Zante, but this does matter to me. For all the people who have been to both islands, it is obvious to which has the best beaches and nightlife, as i have been to both, i feel as i am more than qualified to comment.

Hi Ramage9,
If you look at your post on the 27th may 2006, and then look at my replies i cant see where i advised you not to go to Tsilivi, i think you must have been reading a different post, unless you can show me otherwise. I did say that if you take the bus to Laganas then the beach there is brilliant, lushy also says the beach is average.